PCB chief will visit India to save series

Pakistan's cricket chief will visit India next week in a bid to save the home series between the two countries that has been thrown into doubt over security fears, an official said Sunday.

India is scheduled to tour Pakistan in January and February to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international, but the tour may not go ahead because of security concerns in the host country.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt will now tour India to try to convince his counterparts to tour his country.

"We will try every bit to save the tour and in this effort - PCB chairman Ijaz Butt will meet officials of the Indian Board next week and convince them to tour Pakistan," PCB's chief operating officer Salim Altaf said.

The cancellation of the Indian junior hockey team's tour to Pakistan last week because of security concerns raised fears the upcoming cricket tour will suffer the same fate.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani last week said he will also talk to his Indian counterpart in an effort to save the tour and assured the Indian team that security arrangements would be comprehensive.

Pakistan has not played a home Test this year after Australia postponed its tour in March, citing security fears.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy one-day tournament to be hosted in Pakistan in September, also due to safety concerns. The ICC said that Pakistan's chances of keeping the tournament, rescheduled for September-October next year, will depend on the success of the India series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said it has sought security clearance from the government and expects to be able to tell the PCB the status of the tour by early next month.

PCB officials last week said they will consider the option of playing the series at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or England if the Indian government does not clear the tour.

The PCB's Altaf was optimistic that the tour will proceed as scheduled.

"We are very much optimistic that the tour will go ahead as planned and preparations are in full swing," Altaf said.

But he added the PCB is also in talks with cricket organisers in the UAE and if the need arises, the series can be relocated.

"We have these three alternate venues of Dubai, Abu Dhani and Sharjah in mind to organize the series," Altaf said.